I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

‘Dictator. You’ve shown your true colors!’

Almost all of the Year Council members had similar thoughts. Of course, they only thought it, and no one was brave enough to say those words out loud.

Above all, Kiina’s words weren’t without justification.

They were all victims of these irregularities. They, their friends, and their peers had all suffered or were going to suffer from them at least once.

Just like with the initiation ceremony, reactions were divided. There were moderate opponents asking if this was really necessary, and there were supporters.

However, one thing was certain: no one enjoyed suffering from these irregularities.

“We have to report the formation of the first-year Year Council to the Student Council tomorrow, and you’re going to say that there? This seems like it could become a big problem…”

“During the initiation ceremony, only second-years were involved, but this time third-years will be involved too. Will it just disappear for us? If we’re going to eliminate it, it should be eliminated completely.”

The opposing students cautiously voiced their opinions. Their reasoning was that the issue would become too big, and underlying that was fear.

“Kiina said she would follow the regulations even in front of the Chancellor. If we leave this alone, we’re wrong from the start.”

“I agree with this too. The initiation ceremony was abolished, but it doesn’t make sense for other irregularities to remain.”

The supporting side also had their say. Their argument was based on justification—if irregularities remained to torment their peers, the Year Council would lose its purpose.

‘This is a positive function. Indeed, someone who will go to the battlefield as an officer rank should have such abilities.’

Kiina was quietly smiling as she watched the students debating among themselves, keeping her mouth shut.

In reality, Magic Knights were not commanders who led large numbers of troops, but they were field commanders who needed to lead troops and design battles in emergencies, which is why such self-governing activities were encouraged from their student days.

“We need to command and lead our peers from now on. If we lose our justification from the beginning, they won’t follow us sincerely. Conversely, if we succeed, they will follow us that much more.”

Deina, who was wary of Kiina, was also a supporter. In particular, Deina thought about this issue politically and answered accordingly. She mentioned that it was common sense to keep the promises made as pledges to gain people’s support.

“Losing trust… happens even if we fail. The risk seems too great compared to what we gain.”

“In that case, the Year Representative will handle it somehow. Like before.”

Hearing the concerned voice, Deina passed the topic to Kiina with a smirk. Though she knew it was an ugly act, her still immature emotions harbored resentment.

‘I still can’t acknowledge her.’

It wasn’t because Kiina was better than her. She wasn’t that petty.

It was because the wounds from their first meeting, when her embarrassing points were painfully exposed and dug into, still remained.

Once with Erich’s unhesitating action, and twice with Kiina’s criticism of her hesitation.

For Deina, whose pride had been completely shattered, it was a deep wound and regret that she had hesitated and been stopped by Kiina, preventing her from participating in the duel.

* * *

“Are you really going to do it? Will you be okay?”

“Well, anyway, you two can’t go into the girls’ dormitory. And Sofia is on a different floor, so it would be strange for her to do it. So I’ll do it.”

While Kiina was leading the Year Council meeting about important matters, a few people who were enjoying the not-so-long weekday free time gathered and had a serious conversation.

These four were the students who had been assigned to Kiina’s squad. The girl who was clenching her fist with a determined expression, as Dennis consoled her with his characteristically large build and rugged face expressing genuine sympathy, was Isabel.

The others were also looking at her with concerned eyes.

‘It will be nothing. I’ve seen plenty of serving others.’

What they were deciding was who would serve the Year Representative Kiina.

It was a kind of tradition for one person from the Year Representative’s squad to stick with them like a secretary, essentially serving them wherever they went, be it the dormitory or elsewhere.

Since they were all children of nobles, neither receiving service nor serving higher-ranking nobles was particularly awkward.

‘What if I make a mistake? I won’t be able to bear it if she gets angry.’

But Isabel’s face turned pale barely 10 seconds after making her decision. That’s how much she feared Kiina, who had become her squad leader.

The difference in their family status was enormous, and above all, Kiina’s demeanor had been too cold and intense.

“No, I can do it. I must do it.”

Eventually, the next morning, she woke up a little earlier than others, hurriedly finished preparing, and steeled herself.

As a noble, especially once she was drafted after a strict examination to this Academy, there was no way to avoid it anyway.

Even if it was unfair and she didn’t want to do it, she had to endure it for now. If she refused and ran away, her family would be punished. That was the thinking of most people who had adapted to this place.

“Um, Kiina. Are you awake?”

After preparing faster than others, she went to Kiina’s room with a warm cup of tea and waited until she heard movement.

“Isabel, what brings you here so early in the morning?”

Soon Kiina appeared, opening the door. She was wearing the drab gray pajamas issued to everyone, and even had a sleep cap that most people found uncomfortable and rarely wore.

* * *

“This is a tradition I haven’t heard of.”

“It’s a real tradition. I heard it’s a kind of courtesy. To help the Year Representative who sacrifices for us…”

Kiina remained expressionless and showed no reaction even after hearing the explanation. The more this happened, the more Isabel’s heart was crushed. Fearing that her actions might have displeased Kiina, her voice grew smaller, her body started trembling, and cold sweat began to form.

“Don’t do anything that’s not in the regulations. This is also an irregularity. For me to accept this treatment, it must come from your sincere heart, not from coercion.”

“I, I…”

“When someone tortures you to tell the truth, come back only when you can say without a single moment of hesitation that you did it solely for your peers.”

Seeing Isabel’s wavering eyes, Kiina sent her away. Isabel, with a sinking feeling in her heart, tried to speak again somehow, but she couldn’t get the words out.

As Kiina said, she wasn’t doing this sincerely right now. It was a lie that would be exposed no matter how many times she was asked.

“You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m not scolding you either.”

“Ah…”

“I’ll drink this well in appreciation of your effort. Now go back.”

But she wasn’t completely cold-hearted. Kiina, who had accepted the tea, sent Isabel away with a softer tone of voice, comforting her.

Just showing that she wasn’t disappointed or angry was enough to alleviate much of Isabel’s anxiety.

“I thought it might happen, but to actually go that far, she’s really tough.”

“She doesn’t seem as scary as I thought.”

And Isabel told this story to her peers. For those who didn’t know Kiina well, it was quite a fresh perspective.

Even Isabel, who had been afraid of Kiina, now thought she might be able to look her in the eyes.

“Ha, the Year Council went to the Student Council and confronted the seniors!”

However, the warm atmosphere that was developing was broken again that afternoon.

This was because Kiina, who had visited the Student Council with the Year Council she had formed, brought up the prohibition of irregularities passed down as traditions, just as she had said the day before.

“Raines, it seems that girl has become the first-year Year Representative after all.”

“Of course. It would be strange if it were otherwise. She’s an arrogant one who likes to step forward and has the skills to back it up.”

At the time when Kiina was appointed as the Year Representative by the Chancellor in the main auditorium and the first-year Year Council was formed, this news naturally spread throughout the Academy.

The Student Council was no exception. A large building right next to the administration department, closest to the third-year Year Council building, which was effectively the highest grade in the Academy, was entirely the Student Council building.

“They’re subversive elements. Impertinent and arbitrary people who refuse to follow traditions obediently. Who knows what they’ll do next.”

“Whoa, calm down a bit. Nothing has happened yet. They haven’t even come to greet us.”

Raines, who was on the top floor, waved his hands and chuckled at his friend’s excited words. However, unlike his habitually raised corners of his mouth, his eyes weren’t really smiling.

“What if those bastards, especially that bitch Kiina, try to devour us through another duel? The second-years are no match. We have to step in.”

“…That could happen.”

And when his friend brought up the duel, his smile finally disappeared and the corners of his mouth twitched.

‘Us step in? What an ignorant thing to say. That woman is a monster.’

In fact, Raines had watched everything that day. Because he was more skilled than others, he could see more.

While others just thought Kiina was strong, Raines recognized the ease with which she carried herself.

‘Not just that Erich guy, whoever that rolling stone is, but even against the Adenberg woman, I can’t guarantee victory even if I go all out.’

As Raines recalled the memory of that day, his smile disappeared and cold sweat ran down his face.

As someone who had ruled by strength according to the Academy’s de facto law of the strong dominating, he knew better than anyone that this could be overthrown by another power.

It meant that within this Academy at least, he, who was neither royalty nor anything else, could effectively fall below Kiina. Having thought this far, Raines gritted his teeth, clenched his fist, and crushed the pen he was holding.

“Wh-what’s wrong!?”

“Don’t worry too much. Of course, no matter what duels there are, it’s absurd for green rookies to act as they please. Strength isn’t just about force, right?”

Looking down at his hand dripping with ink after his friend’s surprised exclamation, Raines smiled again. He certainly had no intention of submitting quietly.

“Vice President, the first-year Year Council is here.”

And that’s how they came to meet in such a state.